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Home >> Hot Pools >> Otehake River Hot Springs
 Otehake River Hot Springs
West Coast Region
Otehake Wilderness Area, Arthur's Pass
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Description I went here with the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) in about 1994 as one of my first tramps. The hot pool is in the true right branch of the riverjust downstream from an island in the middle. I guess it changes all the time and every time there is a flood. We went in and enjoyed the hot pools at night, it was fantastic! The pool was big enough for about a dozen people I guess, maybe more. We put up some fly sheets and ground sheets and slept in the area beside the river on the true right. This was very uncomfortable because there was no flat ground so I had tree roots in my back... Anyway, overnight the rain came down and in the morning the river was flooded! We had to stay an extra day because it was not safe to cross. Luckily a newbie had put a kilo of rice in his backpack so we pooled our leftover food and made a big pot of flavoured rice stew. Walked out the next day. Hot pools probably get washed out every flood and need to be rebuilt/dug out. Only suitable if river is low/normal. [Benjamin Franzmayr, New Zealand]
From Arthurs Pass, drive SH73 to Aickens Corner. Park on right hand side. Walk to Otira river and cross over if safe to do so. Expect a waist-deep crossing!NOTE: if you do not have rivercrossing experience, park further towards Arthurs Pass where there is a swingbridge. This adds time to your walk but is worth it for safety\'s sake. My sister in law was in a party of not-very experienced people who lost their footing, got washed away and one of the party drowned on that exact spot. Don\'t risk it.Once on the other side it\'s an easy walk up the Taramakau valley and turn right into Pfeifer Creek, the first small valley. Follow track past Lake Kaurapataka. There is a short steep climb and descent over a saddle and then turn right up the river. After several more relatively deep river crossings you come to the steaming hot pools beside/in front of the island in the river. Total time of about 3-4 hours. [Benjamin Franzmayr, New Zealand]
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8 Bather Reviews Write Your Review Now
- A very hot summer with out much range for a month meant Otahake River levels are very low. they allowed us to make a day walk from Lake Karapataka to the hot pools. We started down the flood route, or "blood " route as someone had written on the sign, but turned back after 5 min, taking the other trail which descended to Otahake River Valley. We walked up the gorge, crossing the river several times. We had our 8 yr old daughter with us, and she had an exhilerating day in togs in very hot weather. I would not attempt with a child if river was higher, as it seemed to be 1-2 m lower than usual. Hot pools had been built by previous users, and were easy to spot. We spent a couple of hours soaking before walking 2.6 km back to base camp for a second night listening to the birds at Lake Karapataka.
F Cohen - Greymouth, NZ
Rating: 8/10 11th January 2012
- Long walk, saw a oppossum. Disapointing "pool"
W Pathan - Pakistan
Rating: 1/10 17th November 2011
- Camped beside Lake Kaurapataka which was sweet. Took longer than expected to get to hot pools probably around 4.5+hrz. Using the swingbridge at Otira river would add another 2hrz on to this. Track is good for the most part although the path leading off to the hot pools is completely overgrown so we ended following the river up. Pools were great around 4-5 of varying temps, you can camp here as well and there is a shovel if you need to dig out the pools.
Anthony
Rating: 8/10 6th November 2010
- Amazing. Loved the hot soak
Astrid Rehauati - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 23rd May 2010
- Visited the site last weekend, track is really hard going now, overgrown and really slow going. The pools are no way as good as they were last visit 12 months ago, I suspect the river has been flooded over winter. The spring is now only a trickle.
Adam W - Christchurch
Rating: 2/10 23rd November 2009
- This Pool has been largely washed away - Track has been badly effected by windfall and is overgrown
Elliot H - Cromwell
Rating: 1/10 16th September 2009
- Great hotpools, my fave on the south island so far. Great location and great walk, good camping right by pools. Pools can be dug out quite deep and room for 6 people or more in two pools. Gravel bottom and sandflies can be extreme here in the day so best at night. Route their is in poor state in places with falling trees blocking the steep track to the gorge and parts of the track covered with fallen wood so take care to not get lost. Flood route from lake to otehake river is hard going and also in a poor state at the moment. Do not underestimate the Otehake, the crossings are deep and fast flowing at the best of times. Do not go if the rivers are even up a little. If the Otira is hard to cross dont bother! The pools are easy to find, just head up the Otehake until you see a island with trees and the pools are in the flood channel at the side. Pools may need repair or digging out after floods.
Mark
Rating: 9/10 12th June 2009
- Great spot. But don't underestimate the crossing of the Otehake...a big river much of the time, especially after rain.
Walk one way passed Lake Kaurapataka...lovely spot, and back via the "gorge" if river permits.
JR
JR - NZ
Rating: 9/10 16th March 2007
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